Research scientists have developed a finger device that converts words on the printed page into audio, for visually-impaired readers.

Staff at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said the index finger-worn prototype was created using a 3D printer.

Called the FingerReader, a small camera scans text as the finger is moved across the page, while special software tracks the movement.

Image Caption:Prototypes have been used to help the blind with items such as bank notes

The text recognition software assesses the starting word on each line and begins to convert it from text into a synthesized voice.

It also converts it into a file using optical text recognition software.

Although other optical readers are available, it is believed to be the first device to convert text into audio in real time.

Lead researcher Roy Shilkrot, at the MIT Media Lab, said the device has vibration motors to alert users if they stray from the line of script.

Image Caption:It may also be used to describe items seen on screen

Researchers said that it can be used to translate books, magazines, restaurant menus, instruction guides and other text.

Described as being at the proof of concept phase, they are yet to decide on commercial potential for the FingerReader.

MIT professor Pattie Maes, who founded and leads the Fluid Interfaces research group developing the prototype, described it as "reading with the tip of your finger and it's a lot more flexible, a lot more immediate than any solution that they have right now".

Researchers said it has taken three years of coding and although further development is required, there are hopes to make the system also work on smartphones.

Image Caption:A test version was also used to translate written music notes into sound

Mr Shilkrot said current systems using scanners are cumbersome and the full text must be scanned prior to processing.

Although not designed to replace Braille, it would vastly increase the amount of literary and everyday text available for the visually-impaired.

According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 300 million people worldwide are visually-impaired, with 14% blind and 86% with low vision.